Carol E. Mcmillan

Carol E. McMillan, 96, passed away peacefully at her residence at Monarch Senior Living in Southbury, CT on June 19, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Warren F. Eaton and Kathryn V. Eaton. She is survived by her daughters, Janet McMillan Zwirko (Jan) and Nancy M. Dooley (Paul), and her daughter-in-law, Rose McMillan, nephew Alan McMillan (Kateri), as well as her beloved grandsons, Kevin McMillan (Crystal), Matthew Dooley, Bradley McMillan (Jennifer), Andrew Dooley (Akanksha), Curtis McMillan and her step grand daughters, Katie DeSimone and Alyssa (Chris) Spadaro, and great grandchildren Oliver, Noah, Penelope and Sofia. She was pre-deceased by her parents, husband John, her son Paul, and her children’s god-mother Stella Burton.
Carol was born and raised in New Jersey and graduated from Skidmore College with a Bachelors in Nursing. After her marriage to John, they relocated to Connecticut, settling in Mansfield to raise their family. Carol worked as a school nurse for the town, which allowed her (and John as a teacher) to have summers off for traveling and family events. Carol loved the outdoors and outdoor activities such as swimming, biking and skiing. Family camping trips to the Cape occurred every June when school let out. Other camping destinations were New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and Canada. The most ambitious camping trip was the six week cross-country journey in a pop-up tent trailer during the Summer of 1969.
After her retirement in 1993, Carol and John traveled to the Bahamas, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, PEI and Puerto Rico. Carol’s passion for travel continued after John’s death in 1996, traveling with college and church friends, and her sister-in-law Peg. She often stayed at Elderhostels, and her adventures took her to Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, Florida, California, Alaska, Mississippi, Costa Rica, Greece, Czechoslovakia and Panama. She also participated in re-building efforts through Habitat for Humanity in Florida and New Orleans.
Carol enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, knitting and quilting. She frequently donated small quilts for the children at the Hole In The Wall Gang Camp.
Carol was a life-long member of the First Church of Christ Congregational in Mansfield Center and the Church’s Community Club. She was also a member of the Mansfield League of Women’s Voters and volunteered with the NE Regional Advisory Board Agency on Aging, Meals on Wheels and Habitat For Humanity.
The family very much appreciates the care and friendships that Monarch Senior Living Center staff and residents provided to Carol during her four years of residence.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the First Church of Christ Congregational, 549 Storrs Rd, Mansfield Center, CT on July 16, 2025 at 10:00am. Potter’s Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Carol’s memory to Habitat for Humanity (872 Main St. Willimantic, CT 06226) or The Hole In The Wall Gang (555 Long Wharf Dr. New Haven, CT 06511).